Thanksgiving - The cafeteria - Thursday early evening

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly wasn't exactly in the mood to be social, but a StuCo sponsored Thanksgiving meal had been her suggestion and she could fake happy. Too bad there hadn't been time for StuCo to organize everything. Then she'd remembered the food replicator that got used every now and then.

So, she'd headed down to the cafeteria, picked the lock on the doors and quickly found the mailbox sized device.

After a test run and the discovery that it could make place settings as well, Molly made some hasty handwavy signs and ran to put them up in the dorm stairwells and common rooms before heading back to the cafeteria to start replicating dinner.

Finally, she opened the doors and sat down to wait to see if anybody would show up.

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal, with Altra beside him, made his way to the cafeteria, the signs and Altra's insistence having led him here.

When he saw Molly, he paused in the entrance, unsure whether to go in or not. "I will leave if you want me to," he said quietly.

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly was quiet for a minute, trying to figure out how she felt. Ultimately she decided that being mad at him for being honest was pointless. Sad, on the other hand, would be around for a while. If he was honest about still being her friend, he would have to deal with it just as much as she would.

Her expression wasn't exactly happy, but it wasn't hostile either. "You can stay," she said quietly.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He clapsed his hands, head bowed for a moment, then gave her a small smile, part sad, part grateful. It was more than he'd hoped for. "My thanks. Is there something I can do to help?"

Altra padded forward to look up at Molly for a moment, then butted his head against her shins, purring loudly.

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly gave Altra a small grin and reached down to pet him.

:Thank you.:

She glanced back up at Karal. "You can help welcome people," she told him.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

:You're very welcome,: he replied, eyes half closing. You can feed me while Karal looks after making people welcome.

Karal watched them curiously. Whatever Altra was saying to Molly, if anything, was not being shared with him. "I'd be happy to," he said, looking at all the food and taking a deep breath. "It smells very good in here."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly patted the seat to her right for Altra to take. :You can sit next to me and I will make sure you get the best bits.:

"I used the food replicator so I went all out," she explained to Karal. "If there is anything you want, we could probably get it. That goes for you too, Altra."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

:As long as it's not vegetablish or breadish, I'll be happy.: Altra leapt up to sit in the chair, whiskers twitching.

Karal, after a moment's hesitation, moved to sit across the table from Altra. "I can't imagine wanting anything else. Is this a traditional thanksgiving feast?" he asked, paying careful attention to Molly, ready to leave if she seemed unhappy having him here.

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Since there were so few people here yet, Molly had no qualms about giving Altra an entire turkey leg. There's also ham and I can get you fish too, if you want.

Molly looked around at the table. "Everything I could remember. Some people have their own traditional food, but I think I got the main stuff."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal's eyes went wide at the turkey leg. Altra just looked smug. :This will do nicely,: he said to both of them, and very delicately began to eat.

Shaking his head at Altra, Karal gave Molly a tentative smile. "It was kind of you to do this for everyone."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly could talk to him, but she found she couldn't look at him while he was looking at her. Her eyes wandered over the table again. "Having Student Council host the meal was my suggestion, but we didn't have any time to really plan because of the plague. I remembered the food replicator this afternoon and decided I didn't have anything better to do so..." She shrugged.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal looked away and spent a few minutes getting himself a small plate of food which he let sit in front of him. "It was a good thought. Thank you."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

She shrugged. "There are a lot of people who don't have anything to do today. A lot who don't even know what the holiday is for. They should at least get to experience the food."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He wanted to ask if she was all right, but he didn't know how, not when he was the reason she wouldn't be. "I can sit elsewhere," he offered. "I don't wish you to be uncomfortable."

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly turned to pet Altra. If he goes to sit somewhere else, will you leave too?

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra looked at Karal, ears tilted forward. :She wants to know if I'll stay with her if you move.:

Stay with her. Karal gathered up his plate and cutlery. I'll be fine on my own. "Enjoy your meal, Molly," he said, standing up and turning to go.

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly watched him go with a sad expression. I'm not mad at him, she told Altra. But it's still going to hurt for a while.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra nodded, watching Karal as he settled in at another table. :It will.:

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

I noticed a difference. I just didn't think it applied to me.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra turned his head to look at her out of bright blue eyes. :The difference is in him.:

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly turned to look directly at Altra. I thought I was giving him space, waiting for him to adjust to what was normal now. I guess he was really leaving me behind instead.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra settled his paws underneath him and met her eyes. :That is something you'll have to ask him.:

[bruiser-in-pink.livejournal.com]

Molly glanced over at Karal again. "Maybe later," she said and shoved a forkful of mashed potatoes in her mouth.